chapter 5

Chapter 5

That morning, Lady Aurora's chambers were quiet except for the rhythmic rustle of silk as Lily folded her mistress's robes with precise care. Aurora reclined on her velvet chaise, lazily flipping through a sealed scroll, wine glass in hand.

“So…” she said, voice dripping sweet poison. “The girl—Ciana. Did she speak to anyone yesterday hm?”

Lily blurted out swiftly “Yes she did mistress, she crossed paths with the Duke in the corridor yesterday, my lady. I didn’t see them speak, but she dropped a basin and… he told her to stand.”

Aurora’s gaze sharpened like glass cracking under pressure. “Well?”, The wine glass in Aurora’s hand shattered mid-grip. The wine bled down her fingers like blood, but she didn’t flinch. Her eyes turned dark, Quiet, Deadly.

“You’re sure?” she asked coldly.

Lily nodded once and stepped to check her mistress's hand without warning, Aurora rose and backhanded her across the face. The slap cracked like a whip on the cheeks of lily who merely crashed into a side table, she was trembling knowing this side of her mistress nobody knew, not even the duke. When ever she was angry, others must suffer her wrath.

“You’re supposed to inform me before I become the last to know!” Aurora hissed. “The nerve of that little rat… looking at him.” She stormed across the room and threw open the doors.

“Send her in. Now.”

Ciana stood stiff in front of Aurora not even having enough rest yesterday, she was already called again first thing that morning, her empty stomach grumble silently as she hadn't eat anything this morning. The Lady of the Mansion didn’t yell—no , her fury was far more refined.

She circled her like a cat considering which part to strike first. “You,” Aurora said at last, voice quiet and sharp. “What did you say to His Grace hm?”

“Nothing, my lady. I only apologized for—” Smack across the face. The slap came without warning, Ciana now understand why lily's cheek was red by the side when she stepped in Aurora’s chamber. She doesn’t even treat her own personal maid like a human, just cruel.

“You looked him in the eyes,” Aurora whispered. “You dared to meet the gaze of the man who doesn’t even see me. Do you think you’re special, girl?”

Ciana didn’t speak, nor flinch to touch he cheek like a normal person would do, she was simply calm and listening to Aurora like the maid she is.

“From now on, you’ll run my errands into the town, alone, no carriage. You’ll walk.” Aurora hissed coldly.

“Yes, my lady.”

“I want the finest imported perfume from Madame Sarré. Bring it before lunch.”

…………

But when Ciana returned, feet sore, legs aching, Aurora didn’t even look up at her she was busy enjoying her breakfast that morning like nothing had happened.

“Oh,” she said absently, “change of mind, return it. Now I want the powdered saffron from the market district.”

Ciana bowed. “Yes, my lady.” She left again. After some moments later, Ciana had returned again with her order.

“Actually, I need ribbons. Violet ones, they must match perfectly with my new attirei have tk wear tomorrow. Try the third tailor across the bridge.”

Then again, Ciana took off to go find the item, Aurora smiled and thought how long will this little rat really last.

By evening, Ciana had walked the full stretch of town three times. Her slippers were ruined. Her body ached. Her hair had come loose in strands clinging to her sweat-damp neck.

The servants at the mansion began to whisper. “She deserves it,” said one. “Why would a maid ever look the Duke in the eye?”

“She’s lucky Aurora didn’t strip her down and throw her out.” Another scoffed loudly enough for everyone to hear. But not all of them agreed, Lea watched Ciana return with her arms full of new silks and ribbons, breathing heavily, her hands trembling but still holding on.

“She’s punishing her for something petty,” Lea muttered softly under her breath.

“Don’t,” whispered the Madam of the servants,“You know how Aurora is. If you interfere, she’ll make your life hell too….just get back to work lela”

Lea clenched her dress tightly, she wantedto go out there and help her friend but was hopeless to do so.

After her meal, Lady Aurora descended the staircase like a queen surveying her domain. Her breakfast gown shimmered with ivory silk trimmed in coral thread. She moved with the grace of someone who had never been hurried a day in her life.

Lily trailed behind with her teacup on a tray, two steps lower, silent and red-faced from the slap she’d received earlier.

Aurora hummed softly as she paused by the tall windows. Outside, she could just make out the faint figure of Ciana disappearing out the gate again, basket in hand. The corner of her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

“By the time that girl returns, her shoes will be half mud and her pride fully broken,” she said casually, lifting her teacup from a tray set on lily's arms. “Exactly how I like my nuisances.”

“You’re enjoying this a little too much,” came a cold voice from the opposite side of the corridor. Aurora turned—and her eyes narrowed meeting Selena.

Selena stood near the archway, arms folded, robes the color of muted garnets, her dark-dusted hair pinned simply behind her head. She looked utterly unfazed, as always.

“I wasn’t aware you’d started eavesdropping on the lady of the house,” Aurora said sweetly with an angelic smile.

Selene raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t. Your voice carries when you’re gloating.”

Aurora’s smile faltered for a split second. “I do hope you’re not suggesting I stop disciplining my maids. That little maid has grown too confident for her own good.”

Selene stepped closer, her expression unreadable. “Or perhaps you feel threatened by her.”

That struck Aurora like a pin under silk, Aurora’s gaze sharpened so did her tone.“Threatened? My dear Selena, I’m the mistress of this house, the only woman with power under the Duke’s roof.”

Selena tilted her head. “Of course. So long as you believe that… I’m sure no one will question it.”

Aurora's eyes glittered. “You speak as if you’ve forgotten your place.”

“And you act as though your cruelty justifies your title,” Selena replied calmly. “But the Duke has many eyes, And even you, Aurora, aren’t untouchable.”

Aurora’s jaw clenched. But before she could deliver a sharper retort, Selena offered a slight, maddening smile—and walked away down the hall. Aurora stood alone, her knuckles whitening around her teacup. Outside, the clouds had begun to gather.

Ciana’s steps were faltering. The weather had turned quickly. Rain poured in sheets now, cold and unrelenting, blurring her vision and soaking her through. Her arms ached. Her breath was ragged. Her shoes squelched with every step.

Still, she walked. The streets were slippery now, and she’d nearly tripped stepping off to the curb, Ciana clutched the parcel beneath her cloak and ducked her head when a man with an umbrella stepped out from a vendor stall. She didn't see him.

She collided—He caught her shoulders before she fell, the umbrella shifting. “Oh—pardon me,” she gasped, breath shallow.

His voice was warm and amused. “You're going to drown out here.”

She looked up, startled. He wasn’t old. Late twenties perhaps. Tall, lean, sharp jaw dusted with stubble. His golden curls dampened by the rain. His eyes, soft and silvery-blue, didn’t leer or mock—just observed with quiet curiosity.

“Are you always this soaked, or is today special?” In a warm tone this stranger asked Ciana. He didn’t let go immediately, she swiftly pull herself away from his grasp.

“Easy,” he said gently, his voice calm and oddly warm. “You're soaked. Have you been walking long?”

Ciana blinked, still startled. “Yes. I mean—I had to…” She stopped herself. Why explaining to this stranger? He smiled, but his eyes held something deeper. “Then you’ll take this,” he said, handing her the umbrella.

She refused. “I can’t. I don’t know when I’ll—”

“You’ll take it,” he repeated, firmer this time but still kind. “I’ll survive the rain, You might not.” He said gently as he observed her.

She hesitated… then took it.

“Thank you,” she whispered softly. She didn’t see the way he watched her face, studying her like a puzzle he hadn’t expected to find a beautiful face here. She turned, boots splashing through puddles, umbrella raised—but her shoulders still sagged.

Leon stood motionless for a moment, staring after her through the rain.

He felt it again—that strange ache in his chest. A flicker of something he hadn’t felt in years and that strange feeling he felt when she was close to him.

He didn’t even know her name.

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